Concert Preview: Fanfarlo w/ Gardens & Villa @ The Crocodile 4/10/12

Fanfarlo in front of tour bus at KEXP just two days ago / photo by Morgen Schuler

Tonight, Fanfarlo will play at the Crocodile with special guests Gardens & Villa. Both bands have had excellent albums out in the past year and the show will undoubtedly be a good time.

Fanfarlo are on tour in support of their wonderful new album Rooms Filled With Light. Their last album, Reservoir, was arguably one of the best albums of 2009, and Rooms Filled With Light is a natural build on the energy that Fanfarlo has built thus far. The album is faster and more driving than its predecessor, and tugs on more emotions. The singles “Shiny Things”, “Deconstruction”, and “Replicate”, are complimented perfectly by expansive deeper cuts like “Lenslife” and “Feathers”.

On the album, Fanfarlo may be captivating, but you haven’t really experienced the band until you’ve seen them live. Their passion and presence emanates through the room, and they are not a band to miss. Listen to “Shiny Things” and “Deconstruction” below:

Gardens & Villa released their self-titled debut LP on Secretly Canadian Records in July of last year. Gardens & Villa’s sound is a clever and unique blend of retro sounds that, as a whole, they have all unto themselves. Pulling from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, the band take indie rock home to their Santa Barbara origins to create a melancholy summer playlist to take long drives with. Album single “Black Hills” garnered much attention for its near-perfect groove on TV’s Gossip Girl, among other things.

Gardens & Villa is a live band. Their debut album was all recorded live in-studio with Richard Swift in Portland, and their live show is a testament to their tight-knit group and their unique vibe. Check out the video for “Black Hills” and a live performance of “Orange Blossom” below:

After tonight, Fanfarlo and Gardens & Villa will be heading down to California for Coachella music festival. Then, Gardens & Villa will be back in Seattle for Sasquatch! Music Festival in May.